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No, your ex probably isn’t an avoidant. You’re just really fucking annoying to be around.
I know, I know… It’s easier to label your ex as “avoidant” than to face the uncomfortable truth that you might be the problem. But here’s a reality check: most people who come to me convinced their ex is avoidant are actually just displaying seriously unattractive behaviors themselves.
The “Avoidant” Excuse
You’ve probably read somewhere that avoidants are people who pull away when things get emotionally intense, right? That they’re commitment-phobes who run at the first sign of intimacy? And now you’re thinking, “That’s exactly what my ex does! They must be avoidant!”
But here’s what you’re not considering: maybe, just maybe, your ex is pulling away because you’re suffocating them with your neediness and desperation.
Think about it. Are you…
- Constantly checking their social media?
- Triple-texting them when they don’t respond within an hour?
- Making up excuses to contact them?
- Showing up at places where you know they’ll be?
- Trying to force conversations about “us” and “the relationship”?
- Demanding explanations for why they’re not responding?
If you’re nodding your head to any of these, congratulations — you’re probably not dealing with an avoidant ex. You’re dealing with a normal person who’s responding naturally to suffocating behavior.
The Hard Truth About “Avoidant” Behavior
Secure people – hell, even anxious people – will start acting “avoidant” when someone’s being clingy and desperate. It’s not attachment theory; it’s common fucking sense. When someone’s breathing down your neck, you back away. It’s human nature.
But let’s dig deeper.
Why are you really convinced your ex is avoidant? Is it because they genuinely show patterns of avoidant attachment? Or is it because labeling them as “avoidant” is easier than admitting you might be the problem?
Usually readers email me vehemently convinced their ex is avoidant, but when we actually examine the situation, it becomes clear that they’ve been:
- Overwhelming their ex with constant contact.
- Making their ex responsible for their emotional well-being.
- Trying to control their ex’s every move.
- Acting like a desperate teenager instead of a grown adult.
And then they’re shocked – SHOCKED – when their ex pulls away.
This cheat sheet lays out a simple yet potent approach to mending a relationship — one rooted in raw authenticity that respects both your dignity and that of your ex.
Get The Free Cheat SheetThe Real Solution
To be fair, I’m not saying avoidant attachment doesn’t exist. It absolutely does. But before you slap that label on your ex, take a hard look in the mirror.
Are they truly avoidant, or are you just being unbearable to be around?
Because if you’re engaging in needy, desperate behavior, it doesn’t matter what attachment style your ex has. They’re going to pull away. Not because they’re avoidant, but because you’re pushing them away with your actions.
So how do you fix the situation? Start by fixing yourself:
- Stop obsessing over their attachment style.
- Focus on building your own self-worth.
- Learn to exist without constant validation.
- Develop some genuine confidence.
- And for the love of God, stop stalking their social media.
Remember: a healthy relationship isn’t built on psychoanalyzing the other person’s attachment style. It’s built on two emotionally stable people who can exist independently while choosing to be together.
So the next time you’re tempted to diagnose your ex as avoidant, ask yourself: “Am I actually just being annoying as fuck?”
Because chances are, that’s your real problem.
This cheat sheet lays out a simple yet potent approach to mending a relationship — one rooted in raw authenticity that respects both your dignity and that of your ex.
Get The Free Cheat Sheet
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